Phoenix wins, gains playoffs

ANTIPOLO—Having his way inside practically all game long, Eugene Phelps scored 29 points and had 26 rebounds in leading Phoenix Petroleum to an easy 93-81 win over Blackwater and into the PBA Governors’ Cup playoffs at Ynares Center here Wednesday night.

The Fuel Masters lost an early 11-point lead but didn’t have much trouble regaining control as Phelps scored almost at will in the paint to tow Phoenix to its fifth win in nine games while inflicting the loss that brought the curtains down on the Elite’s campaign.

“Hulog ng langit si Phelps sa amin (Phelps is heaven sent),” rookie Phoenix coach Ariel Vanguardia said in heaping praises on his hardworking import, who played a total of 42 minutes where he also dished off four feeds.

Blackwater unveiled a new import in Keala King but still didn’t come close from preventing Phelps from dominating. The Elite dropped to 1-8 and are officially the first casualties of the season-closing conference.

Alaska dropped the anvil on GlobalPort in the fourth quarter and ran away with a 133-106 victory in the nightcap that moved the Aces within a win of a playoff berth.

LeDontae Henton scattered 33 points while Calvin Abueva had a rare start and scored 21 as the Aces rose to 4-5.

The Batang Pier lost for the second straight game and slipped to 3-6.

Notes: The league handed out fines totaling P63,500 for violations ranging from technical, deliberate and flagrant fouls and “addressing the commissioner.” Norbert Torres of Phoenix served out a one-game suspension last night and paid a P20,000 fine for a flagrant foul penalty 2 on Star’s Ian Sangalang.

The Scores:

PHOENIX 93—Phelps 29, Borboran 15, Enciso 12, Baguio 10, Buenafe 8, W. Wilson 7, Urbiztondo 6, Caperal 3, Cruz 2, Pennisi 1, Lee 0, Lanete 0, J. Wilson 0, Miranda 0.

BLACKWATER 81—Dela Cruz 18, Lastimosa 18, King 14, Pinto 9, Miranda 8, Sena 6, Gamalinda 4, Golla 2, Pascual 2, Eguilos 0, Reyes 0, Sumang 0.

Quarters: 25-20, 47-41, 65-61, 93-81

Second Game

ALASKA 133—Henton 33, Abueva 21, Banchero 20, Casio 13, Thoss 13, Jazul 10, Baclao 6, Galliguez 6, Racal 6, Exciminiano 2, Mendoza 2, Hontiveros 1, Magat 0.

GLOBALPORT 106—Romeo 26, Glover 25, Pringle 20, Yeo 11, Semerad 9, Washington 6, Taha 5, Mamaril 4, Dehesa 0, Fortuna 0, Kramer 0, Paredes 0.

Quarters: 29-25, 57-48, 95-84, 133-106